A sexual offence case is stalling before the High Court because the complainant is nowhere to be found.
Both prosecution and the police’s sexual assault unit cannot reach her.
And, because of this, prosecution cannot respond to proposals from defence regarding the particulars of the charge against the accused.
The incident occurred in 2018 in Isabel province, where the accused allegedly had sexual intercourse with the victim.
Appearing on instructions from the prosecutor in carriage, Public Prosecutor Elma Hilly said they had contacted Buala Police to locate the complainant but was unsuccessful as the complainant was not at her home village.
Buala police said the complainant is currently in Honiara and the sexual assault unit in Honiara made attempts to locate the whereabout of the complainant, but unsuccessful, Hilly said.
She said prosecution will maintain the charge until such a time the prosecutor in carriage is able to speak to the complainant.
Meanwhile since the matter is a long-time matter, court has set a trial date for next year, April 25 2022.
High Court judge Justice Maelyn Bird said since there will be seven witnesses called as stated in the pre-trial documents, five days’ trial will be sufficient.
Therefore, the case was adjourned to October 5 for interim mention and the prosecution to update the court on their determination regarding the Defence proposal.
Daniel Kwalai of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused.
Court has sent a 27-year-old man guilty of robbery to four years in jail.
Eric Nathaniel Jnr of Malaita province robbed the FJ Shop on December 7, 2018, in Honiara.
In passing sentence, High Court Judge Maelyn Bird yesterday highlighted that Nathaniel Jnr is married with one child and looks after an elderly parent.
However, Ms Bird said, “Resorting to crime in order to care for and maintain your young family is not acceptable and at the age of 27 years you are capable of making ends meet, you must show responsible and respectable way of life for your children.
“The maximum penalty of robbery is life imprisonment but the court has the power to impose sentences depending on the nature of a case.”
She also noted that there are several aggravating features in the offending, that it was premeditated and the accused was prepared well for the robbery.
CCTV footage showed the robbery was conducted with violence and showed how Nathaniel Jnr attacked the complainant with a bush knife.
“You struck the complainant with the knife when he tried to restrain you as a result the complainant sustain injury, the offending was carried out against a business house, the business provided Solomon Islanders employment as shop keepers.
“The business also pays tax to the government and thereby contributed to the country’s economy, and that offending has an adverse effect in the international community and to potential investors, they will see Solomon Islands as unsafe to invest in, what you have done would portray a very bad picture of the country to the international community.”
Therefore, considering the mitigation and sentencing submission from lawyers the court imposed four years in jail and the period spent in custody to be deducted from the four years.
Andrew Kelesi of the Office of the Director Public Prosecution appears for the crown while Rodney Manebosa of the Public Solicitor’s Office represents the accused.
Dr Brian Jones, British High Commissioner, taking his oath as the Solomon Islands Scout Association's International Commissioner.
The Solomon Islands Scout Association (SISA) has commissioned Dr Brian Jones, British High Commissioner, as its International Commissioner.
The appointment, effective last week, made Jones as the first international commissioner for SI Scout as it prepares to be independent from United Kingdom Scouts at the end of this month.
Jones took his oath before the Chief Scout of Solomon Islands Scout Association, Sir David Vunagi at the Government House.
Chief Commissioner Joe Billy Oge said the inclusion of Jones in SISA is very important and they look forward to working with him in the future.
Jones has been instrumental in helping the Scouts here grow during his time as the high commissioner especially in facilitating meetings and strengthening link with UK Scouts. Solomon Islands is part of the UK Scout.
Also commissioned was Pr Charles Tena, who is now the Scout Chaplain.
Meanwhile, SISA is thankful for the support by Our Telekom that assisted the association to participate in the World Scout Conference via zoom, which started last week and continues this week.
Our Telekom is supporting Scouts with a WTTX -4G LTE router to participate in the conference with three Mobile phones and top-ups for the devices.
The company’s Chief Commercial Officer Robertson Szetu delivered the equipment to Scouts in the presence of Sir David at the Government House.
Szetu stated the company’s pleasure in assisting Scouts and is looking forward to working with them in the future.
Meanwhile six young Scouts are currently taking part in the conference and the team of senior management will join them at the end of this week.
MINISTRY of Culture and Tourism has completed a report on a proposed tourism site belonging to Fotana tribe in East Fataleka, Malaita Province.
This was after it sent a team early this year to do scoping assessment on the land offered by Fotana tribe.
The 600-plus hectare land was bought by the Government for the Auluta Basin palm oil project.
However, the project could not get off ground due to some internal land issues.
Permanent Secretary, Andrew Nihopara said the Fotana tribe want to explore another opportunity as alternative for the Auluta basin project.
Nihopara said tourism is one of the alternatives which the group approached the ministry for consultation.
He said it is too early to speculate unless there is a business plan ready to negotiate for the Millenium Challenge Corporation (MCC) grants.
Nihopara said the Government is still to sign the MCC grant as well.
However, he said the Fotana group has a Governance plan and structure in place for the proposed development.
Government Communication Unit reports the MCC Board of Directors at its quarterly meeting on December 15, 2020 approved a $SBD$185 million (US$23 million) Threshold Programme for Solomon Islands.
The Threshold Programme for Solomon Islands will cover two projects. The Forest Value Enhancement Project (FoVEP) and the Accessing Land for Tourism Investment Facilitation (ALTIF) project.
The FoVEP project is targeted at natural resource management particularly conserving forest ecosystems.
It will work through an economically viable community-based resource management program that aligns and takes into account the customary uses of forests resources and to leverage the direct results of alternative forest management as well as facilitate incremental improvements in the regulatory and institutional framework in the forestry sector.
The MCC is an innovative and independent US foreign assistance agency that is helping lead the fight against global poverty.
PS Nihopara acknowledged the Fotana group to come forward and offered their land for development.
He said this is the kind of partnership that should be encouraged for development in the country.
Island Sun understand the other part of the land is offered for the third International airport in the country.
Engineers of Ministry of Communication and Aviation and Ministry of Infrastructure Development are expected to visit the site to do a feasibility study in a date to be confirmed.
John Fadama florist and lead facilitator of the floral workshop
BY JENNIFER KUSAPA
ABOUT 20 participants are in a five-day floral and soap making training at the National Art Gallery.
Trainer John Fadama said such training improves one’s skills on how to do something one will benefit from.
Fadama said he has been conducting similar trainings in the past for women groups in floral arrangements, and is happy to see some women venturing into the floral business.
Fadama said floral and soap making is a skill one can learn.
Jean Akotee’
“I have those skills and I want to share to others that is why I am willing to train people.
“We must share the skills we have to others in that way we will satisfy that we train others too of what we know,” Fadama said
He said this is his first training this year for floral, landscaping and soap making.
Suzie and her cousin sister Sabela
Fadama said the training is more on practical than theory; and at the end of the training participants should be able to implement the skills they will learnt during the five days at their homes.
“From experience some women attended past trainings never did what they have learnt.
Three female participants
“If we have the passion, we will always love to learn new skills and willing to beautify our homes with flowers,” Fadama said.
Meanwhile one of the participants Jean Akotee said she is happy to participate in the training, “because this covid situation really affect people”.
Two male participants
“I want to do something to help my family, therefore when I knew about this training, I really wanted to join because I know I will learn some new skills from such trainings.
“Now I know how to make soap for dishwashing and in any event, I don’t have enough money I can make it by myself and use my dishwashing,” Akotee said.
Former journalist and Kava farmer, Lesley Sanga clearing land to plant Kava on Malaita.
From journalist to community developer
By BRIAN LEZUTUNI
A FEW years ago, Lesley Sanga was a familiar name typed out boldly on the pages of the Solomon Star newspaper.
For six years, the young-man from East Kwara’ae worked as a journalist in one of the daily newspapers in the country.
These days, Sanga, 33, is living his life as a game-changer, assisting youths to instil self-discipline and involving in a major kava revolution in the Aitolo Community on the hinterlands of Central Kwara’ae.
Kava as a commodity is grown fervently in these parts of Malaita Province. Farmers in the area, with little education, have been planting this lucrative crop for years.
And with their struggles, they have had ambitions to expand and meet the stringent quality control demands that come with the sale of kava.
Upon Sanga’s decision to settle down at his wife’s village, the farmers turned to him for assistance in furthering their kava ambitions.
In a span of two years, Sanga has gone from being an outsider in the community to helping to turn the wheels of development and community self-belief.
With his help the Aitolo Self-Reliance Association was formed.
Kava farmers from Aitolo who benefited from the Economic Stimulus Package with their tools.
The association consisted of community members involved in the kava trade.
Sanga was made secretary and in July 2020, he and other members of the association applied for the Economic Stimulus Package from the government.
In December 2020, the association received its first ever government assistance which was translated into much needed tools to expand on their existing kava base.
The Kava Association also agreed that all 30 members made up of men, women and youths will plant 200 kava bottoms each as contribution towards keeping the association going.
Sanga receiving drums of petrol to assist men in his community to dig a sporting field for them.
From then on, each individual is required to pay five percent from the sale of their product to the Association.
“We have managed to come up with a workable vision for the community after years of neglect from the government,’ Sanga said.
“Although our target fund sought was $30,000, we were grateful that the government had given us $12,000 that we use to purchase our tools,” he added.
The tools include knives, axes, grass-cutters, shovels and sharpening files.
Aitolo elder, Walter Ara who had been planting Kava since 2011 and had around 1,000 plants before receiving the assistance, said it was helpful that people like Sanga are around to assist them.
“We are all rural dwellers and my only source of cash revenue has been kava, other cash crops involve hard work and little money,” he added.
Upon seeing the impact made to lives of farmers in the area, Sanga this year stepped up a notch as he worked with the local community in establishing a village-based approach to help engage youths in the area.
He proudly explained that this approach came to be known as the ‘3P’: “It is Pray, Plant and Play!”
His team chose ‘Play’ as their starting point.
Aitolo is located on rugged mountainous terrain and having a soccer field is a huge challenge.
The field being dug up by members of the community.
So armed with his writing and persuasive skills, Sanga decided to write a letter to the provincial government for two drums of diesel and some funds to assist clear a field close to their community.
After receiving assistance, the owners of an excavator decided against making their machine available to dig up the field so the community decided to sell the drums of diesel and use that money to pay people to do the back-breaking job of digging up the field by hand.
With the community help, the field was completed. The men and boys became involved in sports and ‘kwaso’ drinking was a thing of the past.
Women of the community also came out to help their men in digging up a new field for their community
Planting kava came next, meaning two ‘Ps’ were achieved.
This year has seen the growth of community engagement in religious activity as people had things to do and prayer became part of their lives.
“The village cycle revolves around gardening which began at eight, then play at four in the afternoon and then prayer in the evening.
“We are seeing our youths and men engaged,” Sanga added.
Village elder, Matthew Maetarau said he has seen a big improvement in the behaviour of youths in his community.
“We had issues with drunk youths causing nuisance in our community, we are thankful that they are engaged in the 3P formula.
“Although it was only introduced (last year), it has had an impact on our community,” he added.
Sanga said he has no regrets leaving his job as a journalist.
“During my short time as journalist I have visited places such as Fiji, Vanuatu, Taiwan and Hong-Kong, which has opened my eyes and gave me the drive to push my people forward in development,” he said.
As Covid-19 has hindered any likely return to his passion as a journalist, he is grateful that his other ambition, agriculture is being pursued while he continues to live his life with his family up on the highlands of Malaita.
: SICCI Chairman, Ricky Fuo’o and COVID-19 Police Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Simpson Pogeava during the meeting on Tuesday 24 August. Photos: SICCI Media.
POLICE this week held a meeting with Solomon Islands Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SICCI) and private security firm heads to discuss plans prior to the proposed 36-hour lockdown exercise from August 29 to 31, 2021.
A police statement said the discussions were undertaken with a view to ensuring important security services could continue during the lockdown exercise.
COVID-19 Police Operation Commander, Assistant Commissioner Simpson Pogeava says the meeting updated SICCI and private security firms on police operations during the lockdown, including processes to ensure that security firms were able to continue providing security services safely.
“During the meeting understandings were bridged with SICCI as the body, which most security businesses are affiliated under,” Pogeava said.
“Some of the companies will need to apply for exemptions to enable them to continue their important operations during lockdown, maintaining the security of persons and premises.”
Pogeava says during the meeting, both parties discussed procedures to ensure details such as names of security employees, identification, vehicle registration numbers and descriptions of vehicles were provided to police well in advance so that exemption letters could be issued where appropriate.
He says that for those firms and personnel exempted, the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) will issue all vehicle passes.
“All agencies are supposed to have their own IDs, which are supposed to be carried by all individuals during movements.
“Other details will be provided to police officers manning checkpoints.
“All companies under SICCI should liaise with SICCI for other detailed advice before submission of exemption applications to the Commissioner of Police.
“Please try to make it before Thursday this week so that police have ample time looking at application letters before issuing exemptions.”
Pogeava said police also discussed matters with the heads of private security firms and it was agreed that clear security plans would assist to manage some of the frustrations experienced in previous lockdown exercises.
All exemption applications will be submitted to the Police Operation Centre (POC), Rove Police Headquarters, not later than 27 August 2021.
During the lockdown operation, police can be contacted on the following phone numbers (Police Operation Centre) 27895, 27894 or police free toll line 999.
APPROPRIATE legal action will be taken against anyone who breaches the State of Public Emergency (SOPE) regulations without approval and without compliance to our pre-departure requirements.
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare during his nationwide address this week said this applies to incoming passengers whether foreigner or citizen.
The Prime Minister echoed the warning following the latest two unapproved entries by Solomon Islands citizens that opened up the country to potential entry and transmission of COVID-19.
Sogavare said citizens of this country have the responsibility to protect this country.
The Prime Minister re-emphasised that no-one is above the law.
“Please work with us to facilitate your return. Please respect the laws governing your re-entry during the SOPE. Please do not enter the country illegally and without approval. If you do, you will be charged after your mandatory quarantine period. If you bring COVID-19 into the country by illegally entering it, you will face the consequences of your action that endanger the lives of the rest of the population of this country,” the Prime Minister highlighted.
Sogavare urged Solomon Islanders who are stranded outside Solomon Islands, that the Government is making every effort to bring them back home.
However, he said repatriation of citizens must be done “to make sure that we do not inadvertently bring the Delta variant into the country.
“It takes only one COVID-19 positive person to enter the country undetected to spread the virus throughout the country,” he said.
The Prime Minister said the saddest thing about these two illegal entries is that the Government had already put in place the arrangements to bring those citizens home within the next few weeks.
“By entering illegally, you have put yourself in trouble by breaching the SOPE regulation, and you have also put the country at risk from COVID-19,” he said.
TWO permanent secretaries have been re-appointed by Government for the next four years.
They are Riley Mesepitu of Ministry of Commerce, Industries, Labour & Immigration and Karen Galokale of Ministry of Police, National Security and Correctional Services.
Government House Private Secretary, Rawcliff Ziza confirmed they took their oaths yesterday.
Mr Mesepitu made his way up to PS level after he was the former Under Secretary, Director of Industry Development and Director Industry Development Division in the same Ministry.
He was the former General Manager of Solomon Islands Small Business Enterprise Centre (SISBEC) and Human Resource Executive of Solomon Mutual Insurance Limited
Mesepitu holds a Master of Business Administration at the University of Waikato.
He got his Bachelor Degree in Management and Public Administration and Economics at University of South Pacific.
Ms Galokale is a lawyer by profession.
She holds a Master of Development Policy at Korean Development Institute.
Galokale received her Bachelor of Laws and Professional Diploma in Legal Practice at University of the South Pacific in Fiji.
Before taking up the role as PS, she used to work at the Office of the Prime Minister & Cabinet as Deputy Secretary/Cabinet and Assistant Secretary to Prime Minister.
She was also the Legal Assistant of Development Bank of Solomon Islands.
Villagers of Peochakuri village in South Guadalcanal watch the MV Haura going ashore on their beach. PHOTO SUPPLIED
By EDDIE OSIFELO
SOLOMON Islands Maritime Authority (SIMA) is investigating the incident which saw MV Haura wrecked on the beach of Peochakuri village in South Guadalcanal last Friday.
Acting Director, Jonah Matau said SIMA is investigating the incident to determine the cause.
He said details of the investigation will be made known by his Director, Thierry Nervale, who is currently overseas.
However, Matau said in such situation, the owner of the vessel must remove it from the beach.
“If he cannot remove it, then the owner needs to discuss with landowners and authority on how to go about it.
“If the ship is insured, then it will be alright,” he said.
According to reports posted on Yumi Tok Tok on social media, MV Haura ran aground following an engine problem.
It is not clear how it went ashore but Facebook posters claimed the ship developed engine problems, drifted and went ashore.
YTTF has no further details at this stage.
“But reacting to this incident, many Weather Coast people have already expressed their concerns and sadness on Facebook because MV Haura is the only ship that has been serving the people of Weather Coast.
“Both South and East Guadalcanal do not have ships like some provincial constituencies,” Benjamin Afuga said.
He said the Weather Coast is considered as an uneconomical route although it is just around the corner of the Island of Guadalcanal.
“Known for its rough seas and unpredictable weather patterns, the weather coast is a common graveyard for a few ships.
“Few years ago, the MV Baruku also went aground at the Weather Coast of Guadalcanal,” he said.
